Report: Jake Ohmer Enters Transfer Portal
Just a few weeks after adding grad transfers guards, Kenny Cooper & Camron Justice, WKU’s roster log jam cleared up a bit with junior to…
Just a few weeks after adding grad transfers guards Kenny Cooper and Camron Justice, WKU’s roster log jam cleared up a bit when junior to be guard Jake Ohmer was reported to enter the transfer portal by Verbal Commits
Ohmer’s mercurial rise started when he went off during the 2017 KHSAA Sweet 16 tournament. The Taylor Mill, Kentucky native’s impressive performance caught the eye of Rick Stansbury, as he offered the University of Cumberlands commit on the spot. Ohmer played a crucial role on the short-handed 2017–18 Hilltopper squad that went to the NIT Final Four. With only seven players available for half the season, Ohmer averaged 5.6 points per game, 1.1 rebounds and 0.9 assists as a freshman.
Playing with the swagger that caught Stansbury’s eye he had several memorable games including clutch three’s against Purdue and SMU.
Unfortunately for Ohmer, as the roster expanded (Josh Anderson and Moustapha Diagne became eligible), Ohmer’s production took a dip, not topping double figures in scoring after January 27, 2018. All-in-all, a solid debut season showed his potential as a great role player.
Unfortunately for Ohmer, a late-season face injury resulted in him having offseason surgery and put him behind the curve when it came to being ready for his sophomore season. Despite being a proven commodity heading into his second season Ohmer struggled with confidence and a cold shooting start.
After a season-high 31 minutes (0 points on 0–3 shooting) against Washington, he struggled to carve out a role despite Lamonte Bearden’s absence. Ohmer wouldn’t make his first shot until the Wisconsin game, as he made a clutch three and a block to get back in Stansbury’s good graces. He would then play his best game of the season in a blow out against Charlotte, playing 26 minutes he shot 4–7 from three finishing with 12 points, two rebounds and an assist.
From there, Ohmer settled into a consistent role as a role player off the bench. He regularly spelled Bearden, Hollingsworth and Savage for 3–10 minutes a game and would occasionally hit a few three’s. Until the Conference USA Tournament championship, WKU was undefeated in games (10–1 on the season) that Ohmer hit a three. On the season, Ohmer averaged just 1.6 points per game on 10.9 minutes.
With the additions of Cooper and Justice, as well as incoming freshman Jackson Harlan, Ohmer must have realized that he wasn’t going to be more than a lightly used role player. He could provide occasional shooting but that would be harder to find on a crowded roster. With his departure, WKU currently sits at 14 scholarships (one over limit) with Charles Bassey still in the fold (he has until May 29 to announce if he’s staying in the NBA Draft or is returning to WKU). Jordan Rawls could get WKU back to 15 if he decides to join the 2019 class.
It will be interesting to see where Jake ends up. Will he stay in Division 1 or move down a level to be a starter? Best of luck Jake, his freshman exploits won’t be forgotten.